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by Das_Bruce 5753 days ago
Am I the only person who has bought a game after pirating and playing it through? Also I'd be more inclined to buy more games first if there was some way of getting my money back if I really don't like it. I'm looking at you, GTA4, you blurry, poo sandwich.
3 comments

I never did buy a game after pirating it (and no I don't pirate these days, but I was younger once...). But I did several times buy the following game of a company when I really liked one.
I personally haven't done this but you bring up a good point.

What is so crazy about releasing a fully playable free demo that lasts 10 days that enables you to save your progress and pick up where you left off after purchasing the full version?

No doubt a system like this would have multiple weaknesses but if this system existed I can guarantee you that I would own more games.

Sony is starting to implement this sort of feature with the PS3. You can download the entire, full version of the game to your console, and then you have 24 hours from the first game start to play the game, including saving your position, as much as you want. Once the 24 hour period is up, you can keep your game saves, and either delete or purchase the game, at which point you can continue from your game saves.

It's just too bad so far that you can only do this with an extremely limited selection of games that have already been on the market long enough that I would have bought them if I was actually interested in them.

But the concept is great.

The problem is that it is very, very easy to disable time-based lockouts, thus making piracy even easier.
Agreed. And while we're all at it, somebody needs to bring back shareware. (Especially on mobile devices!)
I've bought games/cds/movies after pirating them and enjoying them. I in no way represent everyone, but in my mind I see pirating as a trial period or satisfaction guarantee in a way. If I enjoy it, they deserve compensation so they can go on making others things I enjoy.